I did not start riding a fixed gear until I was 39 and before that rode SS... I thought I needed to try this thing that Sheldon was so fond of and found I enjoyed it immensely as it just added another aspect to my riding.
I have lost track of how many fg bikes I have built up in the past 6 years and because of health issues have re-geared a few of my fixed gear bikes but still have 2 in the stable along with an SS.
I guess at 45 I am supposed to be looking at variable gears anyways.